There is more trouble for defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders as the BCCI Suspect Bowling Action Committee on Wednesday banned their maverick spinner Sunil Narine from bowling off-spinners.
After being reported for a suspect action earlier in the ongoing tournament, Narine visited the Sri Ramachandra Arthroscopy and Sports Sciences Centre (SRASSC) in Chennai for a biomechanical analysis of his bowling action.
The IPL issued a release which said, “Following the provisions of the IPL Suspected Illegal Bowling Action Policy, the committee has concluded that Mr. Narine’s bowling action for his off-spinner, contravenes Law 24.2 (as read with Law 24.3) of the Laws of Cricket and therefore the player is now banned from bowling the off-spinner in matches organised by the BCCI, including the IPL. He may however continue to bowl his other deliveries (the knuckle ball and the quicker straight ball).”
The release also added that in case Narine bowled any more off-spinners in the tournament, the umpires will have the right to call it a ‘no-ball’.
“If Mr. Narine were to again bowl the off-spinner in this season’s IPL, the on-field umpires would apply Law 24.2 and call “No ball” and, at the end of the match, would issue a further Report. Pursuant to clause 3.4 of the IPL Suspected Illegal Bowling Action Policy, the player would in such circumstances automatically be suspended from bowling in BCCI-organised matches,” the statement said.
Narine, was on April 24 once again reported for suspect action following the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 22 in Visakhapatnam.
The tweaker had first been reported for a suspect action for his quicker deliveries during the Champions League Twenty20 in October 2014, following Knight Riders’ group game against Dolphins.
Even though he was allowed to play KKR’s next game against Hobart Hurricanes, he was once again reported, and subsequently banned from bowling in the final, against Chennai Super Kings.
